Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

The Committee notes the comprehensive information provided in the Government’s report received in September 2008. The Committee notes that, in 2005, 76 per cent of secondary students continued their education at universities and colleges. That number was 75 per cent in 2006, and increased to 77 per cent in 2007. In 2005, 43,176 persons received career preferences services, increasing to 53,463 in 2006, and decreasing to 44,252 persons in 2007. The Government reports that this decrease is attributable to the provision of this service in electronic form. The Committee also notes that, in 2007, the Government implemented a national programme to develop a single methodology for the enhancement of the quality of professional education and the inclusion and education of social partners. The Government reports that European Social Funds will be invested in this programme during the 2007–13 planning period. In 2004, and expanded upon in 2007, the Government established the Trilateral Cooperation Councils of Regional Professional Education and Employment (TCCRPEE) with the aim of ensuring the involvement of regional social partners in the strengthening of the quality of education. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the impact of the TCCRPEE on involving regional social partners in the strengthening of education policies. The Committee also asks the Government to indicate the measures taken with a view to encouraging and enabling women and vulnerable categories of workers such as young persons and people with disabilities to develop and use their capabilities for work in their own best interests and in accordance with their own aspirations (Article 1(5)).

The Committee also notes that, in 2006, the State Employment Agency (SEA) launched a programme to extend the period of active employment for seniors. In 2008, the Government implemented a strategy for lifelong learning, and developed guidelines for lifelong learning for 2007–13. The Committee notes that the Latvia National Development Plan (NDP) for 2007–13 lays down the following objectives for adult education: (i) to establish comprehensive, qualitative lifelong learning; (ii) to enlarge the capacity of adult education centres and foster the development of new centres; and (iii) to provide state support to adult education. The Committee would appreciate continuing to receive information on the vocational training and programmes executed by the SEA, and invites the Government to continue to indicate in its next report the measures taken to adopt a strategy for lifelong education and training (Article 4). The Committee would also appreciate receiving information, disaggregated by gender and age, concerning education, training and lifelong learning (please refer to the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195)).